‘Slugging’ is one of TikTok’s less controversial skincare trends. No, it doesn’t involve slugs. Basically, it’s all about sealing in moisture by applying a thin layer of occlusive product on the skin. If you’ve been on social media long enough, you might have seen this exact phenomenon described to in many different ways over the years. You might know it as locking in your night routine’ with an overnight cream or even just as moisturising. TikTok has just blessed us with more new terminology to remember some very old concepts.
Slugging can be a no-brainer for winter, when the air’s dry and your skin is thirsty for all the hydration it can get. But, when summer comes around, and the air gets more humid, is it time for a switch up in strategy? Here’s our thoughts on slugging, its benefits, and whether it’s suitable for the hot summer months.
What Slugging Does
That thick layer of semi-occlusive (remember, no cream will be fully occlusive!) seals in moisture, forming a protective barrier that prevents water loss and enhances the skin’s ability to retain moisture. No slugs involved, fortunately.
Slugging can benefit various skin types, particularly those with dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin. By sealing in moisture, slugging helps combat dryness, soothe irritation, and alleviate symptoms associated with skin conditions like eczema or rosacea. The shield like barrier that slugging creates also protects skin from external aggressors such as pollution and allergens.
Finally, slugging can enhance the overall hydration levels of the skin, leaving it plump, nourished, and radiant.
But slugging doesn’t fix absolutely everything. It’s more like an additional safeguard that helps your barrier out. Something to keep in mind: you still need to have a hydration routine to lock in with slugging, think hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or beta glucan (known as humectants) that help soften, moisten and plump the skin before your semi-occlusive seal is applied. All these can be found in our Pro Resilience Serum which is an intense hydrator perfect as your first step in your slugging routine.
The Summer Paradox
While it may be tempting to believe that the humidity of the summer months means that there is no more need for extra hydration, this is a common misconception. High temperatures, air conditioning, sun exposure, and increased outdoor activities can lead to dehydration and compromise the skin's moisture barrier. This is particularly crucial for individuals with dry skin types, as they are more prone to transepidermal water loss. Even in humid weather, our skin requires moisture! Remember, hydration matters despite humidity.
Sluggish in Summer?
Whether slugging works for you in the summer will depend on a number of factors, like your lifestyle, your activities, how oily you become throughout the day and whether you are exposed to air conditioning. But it isn’t something to write off, just because the weather’s hot.
To stay moisturized in summer, especially if you’ll be out swimming or in the sun, we suggest making sure that you’re always keeping an eye on your skin barrier health. This means:
- Antioxidant care is crucial. Protect yourself against free radicals, pollution and environmental stress
- Don’t underestimate hydration. Make sure you’re drinking water and keeping up with a hydration and moisturization routine that works for you.
- Look for a lightweight barrier repair serum, like our Pro Resilience, packed with peptides, hydrators and antioxidant protection
- If your barrier’s really struggling, you can use slugging to help it out every now and then.
